Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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152. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of progress made regarding pilot restorative justice programmes in Wheatfield Prison and the Dóchas Centre, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The development of prisoner programmes forms a central part of the Irish Prison Service's three-year strategic plan from 2012 to 2015. There is a clear commitment in the strategy to examining the possibility of introducing, on a pilot basis, restorative justice practices in a prisons context. A multidisciplinary steering group was set up to explore and identify potential restorative practice opportunities and to subsequently formulate a plan to provide prisoners with a further avenue to address and take responsibility for their offending behaviour; make reparations to the community; and raise victim awareness among the prison population. The project is at implementation stage in two pilot sites, Wheatfield Prison and the Dóchas Centre. The IPS has identified a number of areas where restorative practices can be introduced within both sites. Intensive training on both pilot sites in conjunction with an accredited training provider, The International Institute of Restorative Practices, has been provided. To date, five "introduction to restorative practices in a secure setting" courses, and three "facilitator skills" training courses have been hosted in Wheatfield and the Dóchas Centre. In addition, conducting "restorative adjudications" training was provided for all senior managers involved in conducting disciplinary hearings and key staff have attended conferences, courses and seminars to further their knowledge. Links within the wider Criminal Justice system have been developed. It is intended to formally build on these to share training resources and experiences. This intensive training programme, provided for key personnel including heads of function, senior managers, supervisors and class officers, will ensure all staff involved are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement restorative practices in their area of responsibility. A series of restorative practices initiatives is being advanced in both sites which include, inter alia, information campaigns, conflict resolution and embedding restorative justice approaches to certain disciplinary adjudications. The project has been welcomed and supported by prisoners, staff and management of Wheatfield and the Dóchas Centre.